President PNOY in support of OPM or Original Pilipino Music pushed for the strict implementation of Executive Order Number 255. The Executive Order requires all radio stations with musical format programs to play at least 4 OPM songs in 1 hour.

The presence of foreign music has been alarming in the past few years as observed by many people. Not many Filipinos listen to OPM anymore because of easy access to foreign music or tracks with the use of the internet. With the steadfast implementation of EO 255, the love of Filipinos for their own music will be enliven through radio station broadcast and listening.

The full text of the Executive Order is as follows:

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 255 July 25, 1987

REQUIRING ALL RADIO STATIONS WITH MUSICAL FORMAT PROGRAMS TO BROADCAST A MINIMUM OF FOUR ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS IN EVERY CLOCKHOUR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, radio programs with musical formats allot very limited playing time to original Pilipino music;

WHEREAS, to ensure the growth of the local music industry, the airplay of original Pilipino music in our radio stations must be increased;

WHEREAS, the State is constitutionally mandated to conserve, promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations, and to give patronage to arts and letters;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby order:

Sec. 1. All radio stations shall broadcast a minimum of four (4) original Pilipino musical compositions in every clockhour of a program with a musical format. For purposes of this Executive Order, “original Pilipino musical composition” shall refer to any musical composition created by a Filipino, whether the lyrics be in Pilipino, English or in any other language or dialect.

Sec. 2. Any franchise holder or operator of a radio station which fails to broadcast the minimum number of original Pilipino musical compositions in every clockhour of a program with a musical format shall be fined in the amount of P100.00 per violation. The National Telecommunications Commission may, after due hearing, suspend or cancel the Certificate of Registration and Authority to operate of any radio station in the event of repeated violations of this Executive Order or its implementing rules and regulations.

Sec. 3. The National Telecommunications Commission shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Executive Order.

Sec. 4. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 25th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-seven.